The number of British companies with broadband internet access has more than doubled over the last year to 39%, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce.
The survey shows that more than half of all companies believe that broadband is critical for success of their business, with one in six firms planning to get a high-speed connection within the next twelve months.
More than 60% of the companies that do not currently have broadband believe they will be pressured by their customers to upgrade in the next five years and 48% expect suppliers to exert similar force.
The study, which received responses from almost 4,000 companies, shows that more effective communication is seen as the biggest benefit of having broadband for 60% of businesses, followed by improved productivity (46%) and cost savings (45%). However, the lack of availability of broadband was found to be the biggest barrier to the growth of the medium, with 46% of companies complaining that high-speed connections were not available in their area.
Isabella Moore, president of the British Chambers of Commerce, praised the fact that “broadband is taking hold in Britain.” However, she emphasised that the Government and industry “must now focus on ways in which to improve broadband users’ understanding of its full potential.”
The Government’s e-commerce minister, Stephen Timms, added: “This survey clearly shows that broadband is going from strength to strength. With £1 billion to help wire up public services, hospitals and schools, that momentum can only increase.”
Recent research from IDC shows that 2002 was a pivotal year for the European broadband market, as the number of high-speed internet connections and associated revenues went through the roof. The figures show that there were a total of 13.4 million broadband subscribers in Europe by the end of last year, more than double the number recorded in 2001
